COVINGTON, KY – In celebration of National Preservation Month, the cities of Covington, Newport, Bellevue, and Ludlow are gathering to recognize excellence in historic preservation throughout the community at the 2017 River Cities Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards ceremony.

On Wednesday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m., the River Cities Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards ceremony will be held at The Hellman Creative Center, located at 321 W. 12th Street/Martin Luther King Boulevard, Covington, KY 41011.

The public is invited to learn about the award-winning properties and the people who contribute to preserving the area’s historic assets. Light refreshments will be served. Parking is available on-street, and in the gravel lot across from the building.

The Kentucky Heritage Council’s CLG Program and Planning Coordinator Vicki Birenberg shares insight on embracing preservation, stating, “Recognizing historic preservation efforts is a critical step in acknowledging the significant role historic resources play in revitalizing our communities and improving the quality of life for the residents. 

“We ‘know’ Bellevue, Newport, Covington, and Ludlow because of the unique neighborhood identity provided by the character of their streets and ensemble of historic buildings. Increasingly, that identity also has the power to help shape their economic future.” 

The River Cities Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards ceremony will honor the following award recipients:

Covington Winners:

1. Project Excellence Award: Hotel Covington
2. Adaptive Reuse: The Center for Great Neighborhoods, The Hellmann Creative Center
3. Adaptive Reuse:  Orleans Development, The Boone Block
4. Rehabilitation Commercial: 530 Main Pro LLC, 530 Main Street
5. Stewardship Award: Tony Milburn

Newport Winners:

1. Rehabilitation Residential: 611 E. 9^th Street, Langley Properties
2. Rehabilitation Adaptive Reuse: 821 York Street, Studio821
3. Preservation Legacy: Weingartner Street, Neighborhood Foundations
4. Rehabilitation Commercial: 107 E. 9th Street, Carabello Coffee
5. Historic Rehabilitation: 736 Washington Ave, Mansion Hill Properties
6. Historic Restoration:  530 W. 9^th Street, Newport Rolling Mill Building

Bellevue Winners:

1. Exterior Rehabilitation: Taylor and Sasha Voss, 143 Lake Street
2. Preservation Hero: William Stolz
3. Window Restoration & Workshop: Marilyn Schleyer, 327 Fairfield Avenue

Ludlow Winners:

1. Matt & Mary Williams, Folk School Coffee Parlor, 332 Elm Street
2. Jeff and Carey Warman, 49 Kenner Street 
3. Jim/Betty Knipfer, 235 Lake Street
4. Mary Ann Benson, 233 Lake Street

Included at the awards ceremony, attendees will learn how historic preservation and the honored projects help to revitalize the community and serve as a driving force in economic development.

Additionally, the awards ceremony celebrates the month long National Preservation Month campaign, recognizing the diverse and unique heritage of the country’s cities and states. The month encourages involvement in and connection to the growing historic preservation movement. 

Pictures are available on request.  For more information on the River Cities Historic Preservation Awards contact the Preservation & Planning Specialist Emily Ahouse at 859-292-2171 or eahouse@covingtonky.gov.